Betray
/bɪˈtreɪ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo violate a trust; to be disloyal or unfaithful to.
/bɪˈtreɪ/
To be unfaithful to
She betrayed her friend's confidence by telling everyone their secret.
💡 Simply: To be disloyal or dishonest.
More Examples
His actions betrayed his true intentions.
How It's Used
"He betrayed his wife with his colleague."
"The politician betrayed the trust of his constituents."
To unintentionally reveal something hidden or secret.
/bɪˈtreɪ/
To reveal unintentionally
Her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
💡 Simply: To show something secretly held.
More Examples
The slight tremor in his voice betrayed his nervousness.
How It's Used
"His nervous laughter betrayed his anxiety."
Idioms & expressions
Betray a secret
To reveal a secret.
"He betrayed a secret to the press."
From Old French *betrair, from *trahir, meaning "to hand over, to deliver". The prefix be- is an intensifier.
The word's usage has largely remained consistent throughout history, though its connotation has shifted from a more neutral act of handing over to a more strongly negative implication of disloyalty.
Memory tip
Think of 'breaking a tray' - betraying someone breaks the trust you share.
Word Origin
"to hand over, deliver"